White House withdraws Halligan nomination

3/22/13 3:30 PM EDT

The White House is withdrawing President Obama's judicial nominee Caitlin Halligan from consideration after multiple failed confirmation attempts.

"I am deeply disappointed that even after nearly two and a half years, a minority of senators continued to block a simple up-or-down vote on her nomination," Obama said in a statement.

Halligan had been nominated to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, but Senate Republicans blocked her confirmation for the second time earlier this month despite lamentations from the White House that she was enormously qualified and had waited more than 700 days since being nominated the first time in 2011.

"This unjustified filibuster obstructed the majority of senators from expressing their support," Obama said in the statement Friday. "I am confident that with Caitlin’s impressive qualifications and reputation, she would have served with distinction.

"The D.C. Circuit is considered the nation’s second-highest court, but it now has more vacancies than any other circuit court. This is unacceptable. I remain committed to filling these vacancies, to ensure equal and timely access to justice for all Americans."

Republicans said they opposed Halligan, general counsel in the Manhattan district attorney's office, because they said she had a record of advocacy and an activist view of the judiciary.